Search and rescue needed

Times Reporter

 

In a situation where a Search and Rescue (SAR) team is needed, Wheatland County could be waiting for hours for one to come from Red Deer, Calgary, or Brooks. 

Scott Campbell, a Rockyford resident and volunteer firefighter, was looking at his 19-month-old son oneday thinking about that and decided to do something about it. 

He thought it was time to start up a Badlands SAR team for Wheatland County and surrounding areas that need it.

Campbell, representatives of Calgary SAR, Red Deer SAR and Bruce Marshall, the SAR Alberta South Central Director, were at Global Training Centre (GTC) to discuss beginning the Badlands SAR on Oct. 15. 

“It’s going to take awhile before we’re actually up and ready to go,” said Campbell. 

“The real thing is that, there’s a real need for volunteers to help out with search and rescue in the Badlands of Alberta because there is a hole in the coverage. It’s not a matter of if something is going to happen, it’s a matter of when and how bad.”

Everyone at the meeting was supportive of Campbell and agreed there is a hole in the coverage but warned him it can be tough to get the help needed to start the initiative. 

Don Shelley, former owner of Global Training Centre, said he thinks Campbell has the right motivation and there may be something GTC can do to help get it off the ground.   

Campbell is looking for 20 to 40 people to be able to really get the Badlands SAR off the ground. Not only does he need volunteers to be involved in the search and rescue side of things, he needs help fundraising. 

“I’m also looking for people that want to get involved in fundraising and awareness,” said Campbell.

“There’s a lot of people that want to get involved with search and rescue but they’re not able to be involved in the actual physical, but they want to help out. It is going to be a challenge to raise volunteers, part of the advantage for us is we’re going to be looking for people beyond Strathmore.”

Campbell said they are looking for people who are committed, are mentally and physically fit, are team players and are able to handle the job. He said every search is an emergency, and for people who are involved with SAR long enough, they will eventually deal with finding a deceased person.  

To find out more information, or to join the Badlands SAR contact Campbell at badlandsar@gmail.com